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Hypnotherapy
When you hear the word hypnotherapy, you think of the hypnosis you see in videos. This form of hypnosis is for entertainment. It is not comparable to hypnosis in psychotherapy. In this article you will read what hypnotherapy is, how it works and when it is appropriate to apply.
What is hypnotherapy?
In hypnotherapy you switch off your conscious thoughts to explore your subconscious mind undisturbed. You learn to recognize thoughts and feelings, while gaining new insights. It is certainly not the hypnosis which is used in videos for entertainment.
Therapeutic daydreams
During hypnotherapy, you reach a state of being that can be compared to daydreaming. You are focused on one thing. Other stimuli from your environment are hardly noticed. You enter a deep state of relaxation.
Have you ever been driving a car and suddenly ‘forgotten’ part of the route you were driving? You simply cannot remember driving that part. This is actually a kind of spontaneous hypnosis. This state of being is used during hypnotherapy.
Will I lose control over myself and my body during hypnosis?
During hypnosis, you are still in control of yourself. The therapist is not controlling your body and not able to make you do crazy things, the way you might have seen in videos. You decide what you do or don’t do at all times.
Is hypnotherapy right for me?
Hypnotherapy is mainly used to make subtle alterations to our thoughts and behaviors. It is used to treat a variety of symptoms, including:
- Symptoms of anxiety
- Stress
- Lifestyle problems
- Sleep problems
- Pain
- Feelings of depression
- Emotional outbursts
- Psychosomatic symptoms
- Sexual problems
- Irritable bowel syndrome
How does hypnotherapy work?
During a hypnosis session, the therapist brings you into your subconscious mind through speech. This state of hypnosis is also called a trance. It brings your body and mind into a calm and relaxed state, in which you explore your subconscious. You learn to listen to the subconscious, without your conscious brain constantly distracting you. You gain new insights that you can use in your daily life.
How is this different from meditation?
Both in meditation and in hypnotherapy, you are in a different state of consciousness. You are observing, without judging your thoughts. Your conscious thoughts are turned off for a while. Yet there are also differences.
In meditation, you are consciously in the here and now. In hypnotherapy you are unconsciously in the here and now. You are in a deeper trance and contact the subconscious. You become more aware of the feelings and associations that are there. This is a good time to make changes.
Why hypnotherapy?
There is no clear evidence yet that hypnotherapy is an effective method for common mental health problems. Therefore, it is also not a first-choice treatment and is not included in current scientific guidelines.
However, there are studies that show interesting results with hypnosis. For example, hypnotherapy appears to be an effective method for the perception of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome [1]. Hypnotherapy also appears to be effective in treating children with abdominal pain. Hypnosis can be used as an adjunct to psychotherapy for various psychological symptoms.
iPractice uses hypnosis only in addition to other effective method. Psychologists never use it as a full treatment.
Psychologist for hypnotherapy
A treatment starts with an introduction in which the psychologist examines whether hypnosis suits your needs. Together with your therapist you agree to the goal of your treatment and the type of treatment. You always choose what you want to work on. Are you curious about what hypnotherapy can do for you?
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At iPractice, you will work with 2 psychologists. Treatment consists of both online contact and regular consultation room sessions at one of iPractice’s locations. Or find out more information about the intake and treatment process at iPractice.
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Our psychologists only give hypnosis as an addition to evidence-based treatments.
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Hypnotherapy is in many cases not or partially reimbursed by your health insurance company as an alternative treatment. At iPractice, hypnosis is only given in addition to an evidence-based treatment that is often reimbursed by health insurance companies. See which health insurers reimburse our care.
FAQ
Do I have to believe in hypnosis for it to work?
No, hypnotherapy isn’t magic or a trick. It’s a proven technique that brings you into a state of relaxed focus. You remain fully conscious and able to respond the entire time.
Can I lose control during hypnosis?
Absolutely not. You stay fully in control. You only do what feels right for you. The goal is to access underlying beliefs or patterns — not to “lose yourself.”
How do I know if hypnotherapy is right for me?
If you’re curious about working with imagination, intuition, or unconscious patterns, hypnotherapy might be for you. During the intake session, we’ll explore whether it suits your needs.
Sources
[1] Flik, C. E. et al. (2019). Efficacy of individual and group hypnotherapy in irritable bowel syndrome (IMAGINE): a multicentre randomised controlled trial. The lancet Gastroenterology & hepatology, 4(1), 20-31.
